Trending

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki Turns 69

President Isaias Afwerki, who was born on February 2, 1946, turned 69 yesterday.

Age 68 was relatively a quiet year for the president. He wasn't declared dead by the so-called opposition, so he didn't need to resurrect to prove them wrong. Instead of supernatural miracles, PIA focused his 68th year by refusing to let Ethiopia's occupation of Eritrean territory hold the country hostage politically. To this end, he restructured his government, announced the formation of a Constitution, capped National Military Service to 18 months, and released journalists.

Despite these accomplishments and more, age 69 awaits PIA with more challenges, including urban housing and energy shortages, strengthening institutions, improving internet broadband services, improving the government's weak digital media presence, and defending the country against exogenous threats.

In celebration of his birthday, we bring you images of his life throughout the decades:

Isaias in the 1950s

Isaias Afwerki (tallest one) as a child with his brothers in Asmara -1950s

Isaias in the 1960s

The picture below is of Isaias in 1967 at the Nanjing Military College in China. The ELF sent him, along with four other fighters, to study political ideologies and guerrilla warfare in China.

These men, who were led by Isaias Afawerki (yellow arrow), left ELF to create what would arguably be one of the greatest revolutions in modern history. They rejected tribalism, religious fundamentalism and sexism. They believed in equality and in empowering women. But above all, they believed in self reliance. It was these young guys that changed the course of history in the region. When this picture was taken in 1974, all of Eritrea's independence hopes rested on a confident 28-year-old Isaias Afwerki's shoulders. He took on the challenge, and led Eritrea to victory.

One thing he should be thinking is his legacy for sure. and he is in charge of, on how he will be remembered in the future by all the generations to come...remember it is not how you start in life, or how you lived through the journey of life hiwot, it is all about how you finish and pass the touch burning to the next generation in your our way... because it is an inevitable fact that is fast approaching.wedehankum

Happy birth day Mr Prsident...may the years ahead be success and change of policy to housing, favourable investment terms and conditions For small business, and creation of jobs to engage the youth and above all health to you for many more years to come.

Stop celebrating his birthday. This is an embarrassing article by madote. Have you heard anything on Eri-TV about the presidents birthday? How about Hadas Eritra, or any other news outlet. Nothing, because it's not the way this government works. You are trying to portray an image as if president Isaias is shaebia, and as if the people are serving him. In fact this man is a SERVANT of the people. HIS people. Never will you see him with a golden watch, luxurious mercedes, a huge villa etc. Always in modest (but still representative) clothing and behaviour. This is what defines him. This is what defines a true shaebia, modesty and working hard in silence. Letting our enemies do all the (trash)talking.

Oh and by the way, he did not turn 69. He was not born in 1946 as Wikipedia and other unreliable internet links will tell you. He is in his mid seventies already. Just so you know and still going strong as a servant of the people. Maybe its time madote emulates him in modesty and being a servant of the hafash.

"When people hurt you over and over, think of them like sandpaper. They may scratch and hurt you a bit, but in the end, you end up polished and they end up useless" That reminds me exactly of Mr. President Isaias Afwerki, honest and slave of his people. Congratulations, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY

This is the guy who have been in power over 40 years (pre/post independence) and he used to talk about African dictators who never leave power, and look where he is now. He has been a president for 24 years and no plan to leave to someone else even withing HGDEF. He thinks he gave us independence even thought it was a collective struggle where all our people participated. Luckily his lever is not good enough thanks for all drinking and he wont live long to be in power as his friend Mugabe, who is 91 but still in power.

My apologies for my comment previously, I thought you were a Weyane rat that posts under the same name. To be fair, I didn't read what you wrote, just skimmed it the first time. But after reading what you wrote in its entirety, I agree with everything you said with the exception of PIA's age. So sorry for my rude response. Bye!

WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO SAY HE IS ELECT OF GOD? THAT IS IN HIS 70TH, IF HE LASTS THAT LONG.DO U REMMEMBER WHEN MELES SENT HIM A 737 BOEING TO FLY HIM TO ISRAEL WHEN HE WAS DYING FROM MALARIA THAT ATTACKED HIS BRAIN. THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE DRUGS THAT HE TOOK THEN IS WHAT IS MAKING HIM ACT LIKE IDI AMIN DADA OF UGANDA; ENTERTAINING DIGNITARIES FROM THE SUDAN WHILE HIS AIDES ARE BEING TOLD TO KILL HIS COMRADES WHO WERE WITH HIM DURING THE LONG STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE..SO CALLED.